What to do in Saguaro National Park with Kids
/
The kids exploring the desert discovery nature trail
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Its unbelievable how huge saguaro cacti grow
If you’re looking for what to do in Saguaro National Park with kids, you’re in the right place. This park is the only home of the Saguaro Cactus. These Cacti only grow in the Sonoran desert; starting out as a seed the size of a pinhead and growing to over 70 feet tall and can live for well over 200 years. Saguaro National Park was established as a National Monument by President Hoover in 1933 and upgraded to a National Park in 1994. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you’ll fall in love with this absolutely gorgeous National Park. Saguaro National Park is visited by approximately 1,020,000 people annually and is about 91,715 acres. It is the 41th largest National Park of the 62 in the United States.
Every visitor to Saguaro National Park should make a stop at one of the two visitor centers to get a park map, get a weather update, and info about the park’s road conditions and possible closures. You can also visit HERE to see up-to-date closures and weather. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding out the parks more off the beaten path spots. The Red Hills Visitor Center Visitor Center is located just inside the West side of the park (Red Hills Tucson Mountain District) , while the Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center is located in the East side of the National Park (Rincon Mountain District). All of the visitor centers can answer questions about both parks as they are managed by the same park rangers. Both visitor centers within Saguaro National Park have a bookstore operated by the Western National Parks Association (WNPA).
READ NEXT: What to do in Petrified Forest National Park with Kids
Table of Contents
Click to Skip to:
When to Visit Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is open 24/7 all year long, but you may want to consider the season before you make the trek.
December through April is Saguaro’s most popular tourist season. The weather is cooler and more inviting to hikers. High temperatures are usually in the 60°Fs and low 70°Fs, with lows dropping into the upper 30°Fs and 40°Fs . Snow does fall occasionally, but usually light and melts quickly. The Spring brings the blooming of wildflowers from about mid-March to mid-April.
In the Summer the weather can become unbearably hot. Summer high temperatures are routinely between 100° and 115°F (38°C and 46°C), with lows generally in the 70s (20s Celsius). Visitors should also be cautious of occasional torrential thunderstorms in July, August, and September, which bring danger from lightning and flash floods.
The best time to visit Saguaro National Park is in the fall or early winter. The weather is cool in the mornings and not unbearably hot in the afternoons. The crowds are very low and the weather us most likely clear and sunny. We visited in mid-October and barely saw anyone else inside the park. Every single hike we did, we never saw anyone else.
The average annual weather for reference courtesy of Google.com (Click through)
How to get to Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is very convenient to get to. The park sits on either side of Tucson, Arizona. That’s right, this National Park has an entire city right smack in the middle. So, no matter where you are in Tucson, you are close to Saguaro National Park.
Obligatory national park sign photo!
How far is Saguaro National Park from Tucson? 20 minutes
Phoenix to Saguaro National Park is 1 hour 35 minutes
Joshua Tree National Park to Saguaro National park is 4 hours 48 minutes
Grand Canyon National Park to Saguaro National Park is 5 hours 5 minutes
Petrified Forest National Park to to Saguaro National Park is 4 hours 50 minutes
El Paso to Saguaro National park is 4 hours and 40 minutes
Both the Rincon Mountain District and the Red Hills Tucson District sides of Saguaro National Park are located directly off of the famous I-10 which stretches from Florida to California. This major highway makes it easy to access the National Park from the East or West.
READ NEXT: A Complete Guide to Pinnacles National Park with Kids
Back to Top
How Much Does it Cost to Get into Saguaro National Park?
Each pass includes entry into both the Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East)
You can pay in person at the visitor center or online. There is no designatied spot to pay at the entrance of the park.
Vehicle Entrance Fee $25
Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from the day of purchase at Saguaro National Park. Payable in-person at the visitor center or you can pay online.Individual Entry Pass - $15.00
This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. Pay once and get access to both sides of the park for 7 days. You can pay in person or pay online.
Motorcycle Pass - $20.00
This pass includes everyone traveling on a motorcycle, scooter, or similar motorized vehicle. Pay once and get access to both sides of the park for 7 days. You can pay in person or pay online.
Or you can buy an Annual Pass to all of the U.S. National Parks HERE.
Back to Top
Where to Stay in Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park Campgrounds:
There are 6 designated campgrounds located in Saguaro National Park, but they are all back country camping. None of the campgrounds are accessible by vehicles, so you must hike in. The fee is $8 per site per night and a permit is required for all overnight stays in the Saguaro Wilderness Area. To get started planning your backpacking trip in Saguaro National Park, check out this informational brochure about Exploring the Rincon Mountains.
Read Next: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
Back to Top
There are giant saguaros as far as you can see inside the park. Its truly amazing.
Where to Stay Outside of Saguaro National Park
I can not recommend White Stallion Ranch Enough. It is so close the National Park and offers an entire Wild Wild West experience along with the comforts of a Fine Resort. I can’t wait to go back!!
Near By Stays:
White Stallion Ranch: (West Saguaro): White Stallion Ranch is the only place I will ever stay in Tucson again. At White Stallion Ranch, the personal touch and hospitality of a traditional dude ranch is carefully blended with the service and amenities of a fine resort. The True family welcomes you to the ranch that has been their home for over 50 years.
Reconnect with nature, family, friends, and serenity. Ride through the unspoiled desert, rugged mountains and cactus. White Stallion Ranch offers amazing casitas, 3 meals a day, trail rides, archery, e-bikes, shooting, and a one of a kind dude ranch experience.
White Stallion Ranch shares a border with Saguaro National Park and is a short 10 minute drive entrance to entrance.
Desert Dove B&B: (East Saguaro) At Desert Dove Bed and Breakfast you can relax, enjoy and reminisce. Our territorial adobe bed and breakfast is situated on four acres and nestled in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains and is the closest inn to the entrance of East Saguaro National Park.
White stallion ranch is home to the largest privately-owned her of Horses in Arizona - you can even participate in Team Penning; working cattle in the arena.
this is our casita at white stallionn ranch. in addition to a gorgeous inside, the patio has a private fire place and lounge chairs
The ranch offers pony rides for any age or you take horeback lessons and trail rides if you’re age 5 years and up
What to do in Saguaro National Park with Kids
The Valley view trail has so many amazing views of cacti and mountains
1) Hike:
Again, there are two sides to Saguaro National Park, so it will depend on if you are exploring the East Side (Rincon Mountain District) or the West Side (Tucson Mountain District). Below are my suggestions for the Tucson Mountain District ONLY. If you want to learn more about hikes in the Rincon Mountain District (East) - click here.
There aren’t too many hikes in the park, so be sure to check out the Best Hikes in Tucson as well!
Best Hikes for Toddlers in Saguaro National Park
The paved path makes the desert discovery trail a safe choice for young kids to learn all about saguaro national park
Desert Discovery Trail: This easy 0.3 mile paved nature trail walks hikers along a guided path. There are education signs explaining the ecology and animals of the Sonoran Desert. This is the only trail I recommend for young toddlers to walk on their own. The trails in Saguaro are full of cacti, sharp rocks and dangerous small wildlife. Since young toddlers are prone to falling, I recommend keeping them on this paved path and wearing them in a hiking pack on other trails.
Best Hikes for Kids in Saguaro National Park:
I was really in awe of how many saguaros were along this trail. I felt like it was a movie set.
Valley View Trail: This easy 0.6 mile trail takes hikers through a Saguaro forest. The trail turn around rewards hikers with sweeping valley views where you will see millions of Saguaros dispersed. Looking back toward the trailhead hikers will see the gorgeous Arizona mountains. There is a bench to rest on at the top of the hike. There are no restroom facilities or water stations at the entrance of this hike, so plan accordingly.
Wild Dog Trail: This can either be a .9 one-way hike or a 1.8 mile trail. This trail is similar to the Valley View trail, except if your group has hikers and non hikers the hikers can be dropped off at the trail head and picked up on Golden Gate road. If everyone is hiking, it can be done as an out an back.
Scenic/Packrat Loop: This 1.7 mile trail rewards hikers with incredible views of Safford Peak and of Northwest Tucson.
Valley View trail has so many huge saguaros
Best Hikes for Teenagers in Saguaro National Park:
Sendero Esperazna Trail Big Look: This 8.5 mile hike is strenuous and rewarding. Hikers start at a lower elevation and hike up to the mountain ridgeline. Hikers are rewarded with sweeping view and lots of wildflowers.
Hugh Norris Trail: This 9.8 mile out and back trail offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is best used from September until May.
King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak: This 7.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is best used from March until November. Start this trail very early in the morning to beat the heat and the influx of other hikers.
Back to Top
We stopped for a rest at the top of Valley View Trail
2) Signal Hill Petroglyphs:
The Signal Hill Petroglyphs are home to the largest petroglyph site in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. There are over 200 prehistoric Native American petroglyphs here. The Petroglyphs date back to between 550 and 1550 year ago.
3) Experience a Desert Sunset:
experiencing the sunrise in the desert is unreal
Sunsets in the Desert are unlike any other. Actually, I would argue that desert sunrises or desert sunsets are some of the best anywhere in the world.
The best place to view the sunset on the east side of Saguaro National Park is either the Tanque Verde Ridge trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out.
The best place to view the sunset in Saguaro National Park West is at Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west).
For sunrise in Saguaro National Park - literally anywhere in the park is magical. We were lucky enough to spend the morning hiking through the sunrise.
4) Become a Saguaro National Park Junior Ranger:
Both kids RECEIVED LAssen Volcanic junior ranger badges
Saguaro offers in person or online Junior Ranger Programs.
Junior Ranger Program: This program helps kids understand discover their environment by dissecting owl pellets, cooking a trail snack on a backpack stove, hiking in the desert, and drawing their favorite cactus! Children can earn an official Saguaro National Park Junior Ranger badge by completing activities in the junior ranger booklet. Ask for a free booklet at either of the Visitor Centers, complete it, then return it to receive your badge.
Currently, you can also achieve your Junior Ranger badge virtually HERE.
Valley View Trailhead is off the Bajada Loop drive
5) Scenic Drives:
There are two scenic drive in Saguaro National Park. These drives are open from 7am to sunset.
Saguaro East (Cactus Forest Drive): This is an 8-mile one way drive that takes visitors through the center of a massive Saguaro forest. Most of the parks picnic areas are accessible from this route.
Saguaro West (Bajada Loop Drive): This 6-mile drive is along a graded dirt road, so be prepared for gravel road conditions. There are several trail heads (including the Valley View trail) along this road. Another attraction off this scenic drive is the Signal Hill Picnic Area and Petroglyphs.
READ NEXT: What to do at Joshua Tree National Park with Kids
Back to Top
We love you saguaro national park
READ NEXT: Best Gifts for National Park Lovers
Saguaro National Park is so unique and offers the perfect getaway for families. There are an unreal number of giant Saguaros, an intricate and delicate desert ecosystem, and unbelievable sunrises and sunsets. No matter if you camp in the backcountry or stay nearby at White Stallion Ranch, Saguaro National Park is an unforgettable adventure. I can’t wait for you to see all there is to do in Saguaro National Park with kids!
Don’t forget to check out: What to Do in Big Bend National Park with Kids
PIN ME:
AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.
Big Brave Nomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
